Extensive serous ciliochoroidal detachments and macular subretinal and intraretinal fluid following laser peripheral iridotomy

PURPOSE: We present multimodal imaging of an interesting case of a 78-year-old man who developed large ciliochoroidal detachments and macular subretinal and intraretinal fluid in the right eye following bilateral neodymium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet (Nd:YAG) laser peripheral iridotomies (LPIs). OBSERVATIONS: The ciliochoroidal detachments developed in the absence of documented post-procedure hypotony or intraocular pressure fluctuation. Ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) confirmed serous ciliochoroidal detachment. There are a small number of cases of ciliochoroidal detachments developing after peripheral iridotomy, but these have involved either argon laser, significant decrease in intraocular pressure, or underlying ocular conditions or structural abnormalities, such as Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) or nanophthalmos. CONCLUSIONS: Serous ciliochoroidal detachments following the relatively non-invasive procedure of LPI are rare occurrences. We present our case in hopes of increasing awareness of this potential acute complication. We also discuss the diagnostic challenges of this unique case, the extensive work up, and current status of the patient.